Actinic ray curable composition, image forming method using the same and ink-jet recording apparatus using the same

Abstract

An actinic ray curable composition containing a quinacridone pigment; a dispersant; a cationically polymerizable monomer; a photo acid generator; and a quinacridone derivative.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an actinic ray curable composition used for stably forming a high resolution image, an image forming method using the same, and an ink-jet recording apparatus using the same. BACKGROUND [0002] In recent years, the ink-jet recording method has found wide application in photography, and a variety of printing as well as in special printing, for example, marking and color filters, because it enables easy and low cost printing. Specifically, a high quality image comparable to that of silver salt photograph has been obtained by utilizing (i) an ink-jet recording apparatus in which ejection of minute droplets is controlled, (ii) an ink-jet ink exhibiting a wide range of color reproducibility, high durability and improved ejecting properties and (iii) an ink-jet recording sheet having drastically improved ink absorbing property, coloring property and surface gloss. Recent improvements in image quality of ink-jet recording methods have ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide an actinic ray curable composition exhibiting storage stability and superior curability, and also to provide an image forming method using the actinic ray curable composition and an ink-jet recording apparatus using the same.

Problems solved by technology

However, an ink-jet system which requires a special ink-jet recording sheet is not fully recommended because the recording medium is limited and the cost for the recording medium increases.

However, when these inks are employed, the dot diameter of the ink ejected onto the recording sheet tends to change depending on the kinds of recording sheets or operating conditions, and it is therefore relatively difficult to form a high resolution image on various recording sheets.

UV-curable ink-jet ink is not degraded by oxygen, however, it may have problems in that the polymerization reaction is affected by moisture or, under a certain curing condition, the printed ink wrinkles while shrinking in the process of polymerization.

However, this method also has problems which are characteristic for the UV curable ink-jet recording method.

For example, when printing is carried out on a recording sheet which does not absorb the ink, a noticeable degradation of image quality may occur due to mixing of adjacent dots placed on the recording sheet.

Specifically, when a high resolution image is required, mixing of dots of different colors may cause a big problem.

However, even by employing the above mentioned methods, the problem of dot blur has not been fully overcome.

In the case of an aqueous ink-jet recording system, the problem of dot blur has been solved by improving the absorbability of the ink to the recording sheet by means of using a special ink-jet recording sheet or using additives to the ink having various functions, however, in the case of the ink-jet recording system in which the recording sheet does not have absorbability of the ink, it is relatively difficult, at present, to find an adequate answer to fully overcome the problem.

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